SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Tick Fire burning in Los Angeles County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.
The fire started October 24, 2019 and, so far, has burned more than 1,500 acres and more than 600 residences are threatened in and around Santa Clarita. The fire is also threatening 600 buildings and infrastructure to include an urgent care, schools and community center, as well as Edison power lines in the area. Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 1,200 people.
“California is committed to helping local government have the necessary resources and assistance available to respond to dangerous wildfires,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Tick Fire Photo Courtesy Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations
Cal OES Fire and Rescue and Southern Region personnel are currently responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the incident. The recent sustained high winds have made ideal environment for dangerous fire conditions throughout the region.
Cal OES Fire and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Southern Region personnel are currently working with other response agencies to address all emergency management, law enforcement, evacuation and mutual aid needs for the incident.
The federal Fire Management Assistance Grant, which is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75-percent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.
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